Butz: Career and Political Record in Missouri
Beyond his role in public service, Butz maintains a strong professional presence in the private sector. He serves as the president of the Crawford-Butz Insurance Agency and manages the Eagle Hurst Ranch located in Steelville.
Political Career and Elections
Butz first entered the political arena in 2016, challenging incumbent Fred Wessels. His subsequent path to office saw a series of successful campaigns. He was elected unopposed on November 6, 2018, running on the Democratic Party platform. He maintained this momentum by running unopposed again in 2020 and successfully defeating primary challenger Bill Stephens in 2022.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Professional Roles: President of Crawford-Butz Insurance Agency and manager of Eagle Hurst Ranch.
- Political Affiliation: Democratic Party.
- Election History: Elected unopposed in 2018 and 2020; won a primary challenge in 2022.
- Education Stance: Supports school choice and specific state funding formula adjustments.
- Public Safety: Advocates for state-level intervention in St. Louis policing.
Legislative Positions and Political Views
Healthcare and Social Issues
Butz holds a nuanced position on abortion; while he opposes the practice, he does not support bans that lack exceptions for incest or rape. His legislative record reflects this complexity; although he initially supported Missouri House Bill 126, he ultimately voted against it in 2019. This bill later went into effect following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court decision.
Public Safety and Law Enforcement
Butz has consistently advocated for increased state oversight of law enforcement in St. Louis. He supported the state-takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the creation of the Board of Police Commissioners. In 2024, he formally requested that Governor Mike Parson deploy the Missouri Highway Patrol to St. Louis highways. Additionally, in 2025, he received campaign donations from local restaurateur and commission member Chris Saracino.
Education and Civil Rights
Butz is a proponent of school choice—the policy of allowing public funding to follow students to the school of their choice. While he gave preliminary approval to a bill transferring funds from St. Louis Public Schools to charter schools, he voted against the final measure due to a lack of speaking time during the session. However, in 2024, he was one of only three House Democrats to support a Sinquefield-backed education reform bill. This legislation adjusted the state funding formula, mandated minimum educator salaries, allowed charter schools in Columbia, Missouri, and expanded the MOScholars program.
In 2026, Butz co-sponsored a bill with George J. Hruza requiring Missouri public education institutions to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism (the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition) when evaluating harassment or discrimination cases.
Fiscal Policy
Butz has challenged Republican-led efforts to reduce income taxes and weaken provisions for paid sick leave in 2025. Regarding revenue, he voted "present" on a 2025 measure aimed at removing the capital gains tax from Missouri revenue.
Summary of Political Activity
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Professional Background | Insurance Agency President & Ranch Manager |
| Party Affiliation | Democratic |
| Key Education Support | School Choice, MOScholars, Educator Minimum Salary |
| Public Safety Focus | St. Louis Police State-Takeover, Highway Patrol Deployment |
| Civil Rights Action | Co-sponsored IHRA antisemitism definition bill |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Butz's professional background outside of politics?
Butz is the president of the Crawford-Butz Insurance Agency and manages the Eagle Hurst Ranch in Steelville.
How has Butz approached the issue of abortion legislation?
Butz opposes abortion but does not support bans that exclude exceptions for rape or incest. He voted against Missouri House Bill 126 in 2019 after initially supporting it.
What are Butz's views on education reform?
He supports school choice and voted for a major education reform bill in 2024 that expanded the MOScholars program and mandated minimum salaries for educators.
What action did Butz take regarding antisemitism in schools?
In 2026, he co-sponsored a bill with George J. Hruza requiring public education institutions in Missouri to use the IHRA definition of antisemitism for harassment and discrimination cases.
What is Butz's stance on St. Louis law enforcement?
He supported the state-takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and requested the placement of the Missouri Highway Patrol on St. Louis highways in 2024.